Gaming method and gaming machine accepting side bet

ABSTRACT

A playing method of a card game according to the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) dealing a predetermined number of cards to a player as player&#39;s cards and dealing a predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker&#39;s cards; (b) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (c) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (d) dividing the predetermined number of the player&#39;s cards and the predetermined number of the banker&#39;s cards into two sets of cards respectively; (e) determining winning or losing of a game by comparing hands of the player&#39;s cards divided into two sets and hands of the banker&#39;s cards divided into two sets; (f) selecting cards out of the predetermined number of the player&#39;s cards, when determining the game is tied in the step (e) and the side BET is placed in the step (b); (g) determining winning or losing of the game by comparing the hand of the player&#39;s cards selected in the step (f) with the hand of the same number of the banker&#39;s cards; and (h) offering a payout from a cumulatively stored currency value, when determining the player is a winner in the step (g).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/902,094 filed on Feb. 20, 2007. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming method and a gaming machine accepting side BETs.

2. Discussion of the Background

Conventionally, there have been gaming machines capable of accepting side BETs different from normal BETs. For example, in blackjack, when an upcard is an “A” card out of dealer's two cards, a player can place a side BET called insurance, in addition to a normal BET. In a case of placing insurance, the player adds the wager by half of an initial wager. When the dealer's hand is “Natural 21”, the amount twice the value of the side BET (insurance) is paid out. Further, for example, in Caribbean stud porker, a side BET is cumulatively accumulated as a progressive jackpot. When a player places a side BET in addition to an ante (a normal BET), he or she can acquire a part of or the entire progressive jackpot, according to the established hand. A game capable of accepting side BETs of this kind is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,801, U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,525 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,786.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming method and a gaming machine capable of accepting side BETs, thus exhibiting new entertainment.

The contents of U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,801, U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,525 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,786 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a card game having the following structure.

Namely, the above mentioned playing method of a card game is a playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) dealing a predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards; (b) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (c) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (d) dividing the predetermined number of the player's cards and the predetermined number of the banker's cards into two sets of cards respectively; (e) determining winning or losing of a game by comparing hands of the player's cards divided into two sets with hands of the banker's cards divided into two sets; (f) selecting cards out of the predetermined number of the player's cards, when determining that the game is tied in the step (e) and the side BET is placed in the step (b); (g) determining winning or losing of the game by comparing the hand of the player's cards selected in the step (f) and the hand of the banker's cards of the same number; and (h) offering a payout from a cumulatively accumulated currency value, when determining that the player is a winner in the step (g).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a card game having the following structures.

Namely, the above mentioned playing method of a card game is a playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) dealing a predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards; (b) placing a normal BET; (c) placing a side BET different from the normal BET; (d) cumulatively accumulating as a jackpot a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (e) dividing the predetermined number of the player's cards into cards for a first game and cards for a second game different from the first game in type; (f) dividing the predetermined number of the banker's cards into cards for the first game and cards for the second game; (g) determining a result of the first game by comparing the hand of the player's cards for the first game with the hand of the banker's cards for the first game; (h) determining the result of the second game by comparing the hand of the player's cards for the second game with the hand of the banker's cards for the second game; (i) offering a payout based on the normal BET and the result of the games, when both the first game and the second game result in winning of the player; (j) restoring the cards divided in the step (d) to the predetermined number of the player's cards, when the first game and the second game result in different winners; (k) selecting cards for a third game out of the player's cards acquired in the step (j); (l) determining the result of the third game by comparing the hand of the player's cards for the third game acquired in the step (k) with the hand of the banker's cards for the first game acquired in the step (f); and (m) offering the jackpot based on the inputted side BET and the result of the game, when the third game in the step (k) results in winning of the player.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a card game having the following structures.

Namely, the above mentioned playing method of a card game is a playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards; (b) placing a normal BET; (c) placing a side BET different from the normal BET; (d) cumulatively accumulating as a jackpot a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (e) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's cards into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards; (f) dividing the first predetermined number of the banker's cards into a second predetermined number of banker's cards and a third predetermined number of banker's cards; (g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards; (h) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards with the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (i) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (j) combining the second predetermined number of the player's cards and the third predetermined number of the player's cards together as a first predetermined number of player's special cards when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards, or when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (k) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's special cards into a second predetermined number of player's special cards and a third predetermined number of player's special cards; (l) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's special cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards acquired by the division in the step (f); and (m) offering the jackpot, when the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's special cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and the side BET is placed in the step (c).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a card game having the following structures.

Namely, the above mentioned playing method of a card game is a playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards; (b) placing a normal BET; (c) placing a side BET different from the normal BET; (d) cumulatively accumulating as a jackpot a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (e) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's cards into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards; (f) dividing the first predetermined number of the banker's cards into a second predetermined number of banker's cards and a third predetermined number of banker's cards; (g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards; (h) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards with the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (i) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (j) combining the second predetermined number of the player's cards and the third predetermined number of the player's cards together as a first predetermined number of player's special cards, and combining the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and the third predetermined number of the banker's cards together as a first predetermined number of banker's special cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards, or when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (k) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's special cards into a second predetermined number of player's special cards and a third predetermined number of player's special cards; (l) dividing the first predetermined number of the banker's special cards into a second predetermined number of banker's special cards and a third predetermined number of banker's special cards; (m) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's special cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's special cards; and (n) offering the jackpot, when the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's special cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's special cards and the side BET is placed in the step (c).

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having the following structures.

Namely, the above mentioned gaming machine is a gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller. The controller is programmed to conduct the processes of: (a) displaying a predetermined number of player's cards and a predetermined number of banker's cards to the display; (b) accepting a side BET different from a normal BET from the input device; (c) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of currency value of the side BET; (d) dividing the predetermined number of the player's cards and the predetermined number of the banker's cards into two sets of cards respectively, based on an input from the input device; (e) determining winning or losing of the game by comparing hands of the player's cards divided into two sets and hands of the banker's cards divided into two sets; (f) selecting cards out of the predetermined number of the player's cards, based on the input from the input device, when determining that the game is tied in the processing (e) and the side BET is placed in the processing (b); (g) determining winning or losing of the game by comparing the hand of the player's cards selected in the processing (f) with the hand of the banker's cards of the same number; and (h) offering a payout from a cumulatively accumulated currency value, when determining that the player is a winner in the step (g).

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having the following structures.

Namely, the above mentioned gaming machine is a gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller. The controller is programmed to conduct the processes of: (a) displaying a predetermined number of player's cards and a predetermined number of banker's cards to the display; (b) accepting an input of a normal BET from the input device; (c) accepting an input of a side BET different from the normal BET, from the input device; (d) cumulatively accumulating as a jackpot a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (e) dividing the predetermined number of the player's cards into cards for a first game and cards for a second game different from the first game in type, based on an input from the input device; (f) dividing the predetermined number of the banker's cards into cards for the first game and cards for the second game; (g) determining the result of the first game by comparing the hand of the player's cards for the first game with the hand of the banker's cards for the first game; (h) determining the result of the second game by comparing the hand of the player's cards for the second game with the hand of the banker's cards for the second game; (i) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the games, when both the first game and the second game result in winning of the player; (j) restoring the cards divided in the processing (d) to the predetermined number of the player's cards, when the first game and the second game result in different winners; (k) selecting cards for a third game out of the player's cards acquired in the processing (i), based on the input from the input device; (l) determining the result of the third game by comparing the hand of the player's cards for the third game acquired in the processing (j) with the hand of the banker's cards for the first game acquired in the processing (e); and (m) offering the jackpot based on the inputted side BET and the result of the game, when the third game in the processing (l) results in winning of the player.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having the following structures.

Namely, the above mentioned gaming machine is a gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; a normal BET switch for inputting a normal BET; a side BET switch for inputting a side BET different from the normal BET; an input switch for inputting a command for dividing cards into two sets; and a controller. The controller is programmed to conduct the processes of: (a) displaying a first predetermined number of player's cards and a first predetermined number of banker's cards to the display; (b) accepting an input of a normal BET from the normal BET switch; (c) accepting an input of a side BET from the side BET switch; (d) cumulatively accumulating as a jackpot a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (e) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's cards into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards, based on an input from the input switch; (f) dividing the first predetermined number of the banker's cards into a second predetermined number of banker's cards and a third predetermined number of banker's cards; (g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards; (h) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards with the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (i) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (j) combining the second predetermined number of the player's cards and the third predetermined number of the player's cards together as a first predetermined number of player's special cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards, or when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (k) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's special cards into a second predetermined number of player's special cards and a third predetermined number of player's special cards, based on the input from the input switch; (l) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's special cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards acquired by the division in the processing (f); and (m) offering the jackpot, when the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's special cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and the side BET is inputted in the processing (c).

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having the following structures.

Namely, the above mentioned gaming machine is a gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; a normal BET switch for inputting a normal BET; a side BET switch for inputting a side BET different from the normal BET; an input switch for inputting a command for dividing cards into two sets; and a controller. The controller is programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) displaying a first predetermined number of player's cards and a first predetermined number of banker's cards to the display (b) accepting an input of a normal BET from the normal BET switch; (c) accepting an input of a side BET from the side BET switch; (d) cumulatively accumulating as a jackpot a predetermined ratio of a side BET currency value; (e) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's cards into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards, based on an input from the input switch; (f) dividing the first predetermined number of the banker's cards into a second predetermined number of banker's cards and a third predetermined number of banker's cards; (g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards; (h) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards with the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (i) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (j) combining the second predetermined number of the player's cards and the third predetermined number of the player's cards together as a first predetermined number of player's special cards, and combining the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and the third predetermined number of the banker's cards together as a first predetermined number of banker's special cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards, or when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (k) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's special cards into a second predetermined number of player's special cards and a third predetermined number of player's special cards, based on the input from the input switch; (l) dividing the first predetermined number of the banker's special cards into a second predetermined number of banker's special cards and a third predetermined number of banker's special cards; (m) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's special cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's special cards; and (n) offering the jackpot, when the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's special cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's special cards and the side BET is inputted in the processing (c).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a flow chart illustrating main-control-portion-side processing conducted in a main control portion included in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is another flow chart illustrating main-control-portion-side processing conducted in the main control portion included in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the external structure of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the external structure of a station included in the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a front display included in the gaming machine.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a liquid crystal display included in a station.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of a station included in the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8A is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of station-side processing conducted in a station according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8B is another flow chart illustrating a subroutine of station-side processing conducted in the station according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a flow chart illustrating main-control-portion-side processing conducted in a main control portion included in a gaming machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9B is another flow chart illustrating main-control-portion-side processing conducted in the main control portion included in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

There will be described an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

In the following embodiment, there will be described a case where Pai-Gow poker is played. First, the rule of Pai-Gow poker will be described.

In Pai-Gow porker, a banker, and a single player or a plurality of players play a game against each other, using a single set of playing cards (53 cards) including a single joker.

At first, 7 cards are dealt to each of the banker and the players. The banker and the players divide their dealt seven cards into a set of five cards and a set of two cards. At this time, the hand of five cards (a high hand) must be as strong as the hand of two cards (the low hand) or stronger than the hand of two cards. Next, by comparing the banker's hand of five cards with the player's hand of five cards, which of them is stronger than the other is determined. Similarly, by comparing the banker's hand of two cards and the player's hand of two cards, which of them is stronger than the other is determined. When both the banker's hands of five cards and two cards are stronger than those of the player's, the game results in winning of the banker. When both the player's hands of five cards and two cards are stronger than those of the banker's, the game results in winning of the player. When one player's hand, out of the hands of five cards and two cards, is stronger than the banker's corresponding hand and the other banker's hands is stronger than the player's corresponding hand, the game is tied. Also, when both the player's hands of five cards and two cards are as strong as the banker's hands, the game results in winning of the banker. Further, as hands of five cards, there are Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two pair, One pair and No Pair, in the order of strength. As hands of two cards, there are One Pair and No Pair, in the order of strength.

In the following embodiments, Pai-Gow porker is played twice, wherein, a normal BET and a side BET are accepted. Here, a normal BET is a BET placed on the winning or losing of Pai-Gow porker, while a side BET is a BET placed on a game which is played in the event that both the two games of Pai-Gow porker are tied. A predetermined ratio (50% in the present embodiment) of a side-BET currency value is cumulatively accumulated as a jackpot (hereinafter also referred to as “JP”). When both of the two games of Pai-Gow porker are tied, on condition that the side BET is placed, the player's cards are divided into five cards and two cards again, and the player's hand of five cards is compared with the banker's hand of five cards. When the hand of player's cards is stronger than the banker's hand, a JP is offered. Further, in the following embodiment, there will be described a case where a dealer serves as a banker.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1A and 1B are flow charts illustrating main-control-portion-side processing conducted in a main control portion included in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, there will be described processing conducted in the main control portion 40 (see FIG. 6) included in the gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

At first, in step S101 in FIG. 1A, when a CPU 41 (see FIG. 6) included in the main control portion 40 receives a signal indicative of executing Pai-Gow porker from any of stations 3 (see FIG. 2), the CPU 41 sets the value of ‘t’ to 2 for counting the number of ties.

Next, in step S102, the CPU 41 receives BET information from the station 3 (see FIG. 2). The BET information relates to BETs and includes information about whether or not a normal BET and a side BET are placed and the values of the normal BET and the side BET.

Next, in step S103, the CPU 41 cumulatively stores 50% of a side-BET credit as a JP in a RAM 42 (see FIG. 6) based on BET information received in step S102.

Next, in step S104, the CPU 41 determines seven cards to be dealt to each of the player and the banker, out of a single set of playing cards, using random numbers. The seven cards determined to be dealt to the player in step S104 corresponds to a first predetermined number of player's cards according to the present invention, while the seven cards determined to be dealt to the banker corresponds to a first predetermined number of banker's cards according to the present invention. Further, card images indicative of the seven banker's cards are displayed facing down to a front display 21 (see FIG. 2) included in the gaming machine 1.

Next, in step S105, the CPU 41 transmits to-be-dealt cards information to the station 3. The to-be-dealt cards information includes information indicative of the types of the cards determined to be dealt to the player and the banker (ranks and suits [heart, club, spade, diamond]). The station 3 displays card images indicative of the seven player's cards to a liquid crystal display 10, based on the received to-be-dealt cards information, and accepts an input for dividing the cards into a set of five cards (a high hand) and a set of two cards (a low hand). The five player's cards, out of the player's cards divided into two sets by the division command inputted by the player, correspond to a second predetermined number of player's cards according to the present invention, while the two player's cards correspond to a third predetermined number of player's cards according to the present invention.

Next, in step S106, the CPU 41 receives selection information from the station 3. The selection information is information indicating which cards are selected as the high hand and which cards are selected as the low hand.

Next, in step S107, the CPU 41 conducts processing for dividing the cards dealt to the banker into a high hand and a low hand. The high hand (five banker's cards) acquired in the processing in step S107 corresponds to a second predetermined number of banker's cards according to the present invention, while the low hand (two banker's cards) corresponds to a third predetermined number of banker's cards according to the present invention.

Next, in step S108, the CPU 41 displays card images indicative of the high hand and the low hand determined in step S107 with their faces up, to the front display 21.

Next, in step S109, the CPU 41 conducts processing for determining winning or losing of the game, based on the selection information received in step S106 and the high hand and the low hand determined in step S107. More specifically, the CPU 41 determines winning or losing of the game based on the results of determination, in which the CPU 41 determines which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the player's high hand with the banker's high hand and the player's low hand with the banker's low hand. More specifically, when the player's high hand is stronger than the banker's high hand and the player's low hand is stronger than the banker's low hand, the player wins, and when the banker's high hand is stronger than the player's high hand and the banker's low hand is stronger than the player's low hand, the banker wins. When one player's hand, out of the high hand and the low hand, is stronger than the banker's corresponding hand and the other banker's hand is stronger than the player's corresponding hand, the game is tied. Determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the player's high hand with the banker's high hand corresponds to a first game according to the present invention, while determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the player's low hand with the banker's low hand corresponds to a second game according to the present invention.

Next, in step S110, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of the winning or losing of the game determined in step S109 (hereinafter, also referred to as winning/losing information) to the station 3. The station 3, on receiving the winning/losing information, displays a single image describing any one of “you win”, “you lose” and “tie” to the liquid crystal display 10, based on the winning/losing information.

Next, in step S111, the CPU 41 transmits normal BET payout information to the station 3. The normal BET payout information is information indicative of the value of a credit (currency value) to be paid out for a normal BET. More specifically, when the player wins, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of a credit value which is twice the value of the normal BET, and in the event of a tie, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of the same credit value as the value of the normal BET. Also, when the banker wins, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating that the value of a credit to be offered is 0.

Next, in step S112, the CPU 41 conducts processing for subtracting 1 from the value of ‘t’.

Next, in step S113, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the value of ‘t’ is 0. When the CPU 41 determines that the value of ‘t’ is not 0, the processing is returned to step S102.

On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that the value of ‘t’ is 0, in step S114 in FIG. 1B, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a signal indicative of both the two Pai-Gow poker games being tied and a side BET being placed (hereinafter, also referred to as a side BET signal) is received from the station 3. When the CPU 41 determines that no side BET signal is received, the present main-control-portion-side processing ends.

On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that a side BET signal is received, the CPU 41 receives, in step S115, selection information from the station 3 after the re-division of the cards.

Next, in step S116, the CPU 41 conducts processing for determining winning or losing of the game, based on the selection information received in step S115 and the banker's high hand determined in step S107. More specifically, the CPU 41 determines which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the player's high hand with the banker's high hand, and determines the one having the stronger hand to be a winner. Determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the player's high hand after the re-division with the banker's high hand corresponds to a third game according to the present invention.

In the present embodiment, there will be described a case where the third game according to the present invention is the same as the first game (the game in which the player's high hand is compared with the banker's high hand). However, in the present invention, the third game and the first game may be different from each other and, for example, in the third game, a strong hand and a weak hand may be determined by comparing the player's low hand with the banker's low hand.

Next, in step S117, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of the winning or losing of the game determined in step S116 (hereinafter, also referred to as winning/losing information) to the station 3.

The station 3, on receiving the winning/losing information, displays an image describing any one of “you win”, “you lose” and “tie” to the liquid crystal display 10, based on the winning/losing information.

Next, in step S118, the CPU 41 transmits JP payout information to the station 3. The JP payout information is information indicative of the value of a JP credit (the currency value) to be paid out for the side BET. More specifically, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of a credit value corresponding to a full amount of a JP in the case of the player's win with Royal Flush, information indicative of the credit value corresponding to 50% of the JP.in the case of the player's win with Straight Flush, and information indicative of the credit value corresponding to 10% of the JP in the case of the player's win with a hand other than the above-mentioned hands. Further, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of the same credit value as the value of the side BET in the event of a tie. Also, when the banker wins, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating that the value of credits to be offered is 0.

In the present embodiment, there has been described a case where a full amount of the JP for the hand of Royal Flush, 50% of the JP for the hand of Straight Flush, and 10% of the JP for the hand other than the above-mentioned hands is offered when the player wins in the third game. However, in the present invention, the correspondence between the amount of JP to be offered and the hand is not limited thereto. Further, in the present invention, all the currency value cumulatively accumulated as the JP may be offered regardless of the hand, when the player wins the third game.

Further, while, in the present embodiment, there will be described a case where a credit as same the value as the side BET is paid out in the event of a tie, no payout may be offered in the event of a tie. After the execution of the processing in step S117, the present main-control-portion-side processing ends.

Next, there will be described the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the external structure of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 1 is basically comprised of a main monitor 2 and five stations 3 (stations 3 a to 3 e). Further, while, in the present embodiment, there will be described a case where the gaming machine 1 comprises a plurality of (five) stations 3, the number of stations included in a gaming machine may be one, in the present invention.

At the center portion of the main monitor 2, there is provided a front display 21 for displaying images indicating a dealer, cards and an amount of JP. The front display 21 corresponds to a display according to the present invention. Further, on the upper side of the main monitor 2, there are provided a plurality of speakers 22 for outputting music and an effect sound along with the progression of a game executed in the gaming machine 1 and a plurality of LEDs 23 which are lighted during various types of effects.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the external structure of a station included in the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, at the center of the upper surface of the station 3, there is provided a liquid crystal display 10 for displaying an image relating to an operation (see FIG. 5) and the like as will be described later. The liquid crystal display 10 corresponds to a display according to the present invention. Further, on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display 10, there is provided a touch panel 11 for inputting an operation for a BET and the like. The touch panel 11 corresponds to a normal BET switch, a side BET switch and an input switch according to the present invention.

In front of the liquid crystal display 10, there are provided a plurality of operation buttons 12 for performing a payout operation, and a coin insertion slot 13 for inserting a coin or a medal thereto.

At the right end of the upper portion of the front surface of the station 3, there is provided a bill insertion slot 14 for inserting a bill thereto. Below the bill insertion slot 14, there is provided a coin payout exit 15 for paying out the number of coins or medals corresponding to the accumulated credit to the player, when a payout operation is performed.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to the front display included in a gaming machine.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, at an upper portion of the front display 21, there is provided a JP display portion 33 for displaying an amount of JP. Further, the front display 21 displays a dealer image 30 indicating a dealer (banker), a table image 31 indicating a table, and card images 32 indicating seven banker's cards. The card images 32 are displayed facing down, when cards are dealt to the dealer. When the high hand and the low hand are determined, the card images 32 are displayed facing up. The five cards on the observer's left side in FIG. 4 indicate the high hand, while the two cards on the right side indicate the low hand.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a liquid crystal display included in a station.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, at an upper portion of the liquid crystal display 10, there are provided a high-hand display portion 80 for displaying the player's high hand and a low-hand display portion 81 for displaying the player's low hand. To the high-hand display portion 80 and the low-hand display portion 81, there are displayed card images 82 indicating the cards of the high hand and a card images 82 indicating the cards of the low hand, respectively, with their faces up. Under the high-hand display portion 80, there is provided a dealt-card display portion 83. To the seven dotted boxes in the dealt-card display portion 83, card images indicating the seven player's cards dealt to the player are displayed with their faces up. On the right side of the dealt-card display portion 83, there are provided a high-hand determination button 84 and a low-hand determination button 85 for determining the cards constituting the high hand and the low hand. The player can determine a high hand by selecting cards that he or she desires to have in his or her high hand out of the cards displayed to the dealt-card display portion 83 through the touch panel 11 and operating the high-hand determination button 84 through the touch panel 11. The cards determined to be included in the high hand are displayed to the high-hand display portion 80. Similarly, the player can determine a low hand by selecting cards that he or she desires to have in his or her low hand out of the cards displayed to the dealt-card display portion 83 through the touch panel 11 and operating the low-hand determination button 85 through the touch panel 11.

Under the dealt-card display portion 83, there is provided a BET button display portion 86. To the BET button display portion 86, there are displayed BET buttons 87 for inputting the number of BETs. The player can input the number of normal BETs and the number of side BETs by operating the BET buttons 87 through the touch panel 11.

At the right side of the BET button display portion 86, there is provided a number-of-normal-BETs display portion 88 for displaying the number of coins being betted as a normal BET. FIG. 5 illustrates that 28 coins are betted. Further, in order to input a BET of 28 coins, the player can operate a “10” BET button 87 twice, “5” BET button 87 once and a “1” BET button 87 three times.

At the right side of the number-of-normal-BETs display portion 88, there is provided a number-of-side-BETs display portion 89 for displaying the number of coins betted as a side BET. FIG. 5 illustrates that 10 coins are betted.

At the right side of the number-of-side-BETs display portion 89, there is provided the number-of-credits display portion 90. FIG. 5 illustrates that 500 coins are being credited.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the main control portion 40 provided in the gaming machine 1 comprises a microcomputer 45 as the core, which basically includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, a timer 95, and a bus 44 for transferring data mutually among these devices. The main control portion 40 corresponds to a controller according to the present invention.

The ROM 43 stores various types of programs for conducting processing necessary for controlling the gaming machine 1, a data table and the like. The RAM 42 is a memory for temporarily storing various types of data calculated in the CPU 41. Further, the RAM 42 cumulatively stores credit data corresponding to a predetermined ratio (50% in the present embodiment) of a side-BET credit. Further, the timer 95 conducts time measurement.

Further, the CPU 41 is connected to an image processing circuit 47, a sound circuit 48, an LED driving circuit 49 and a communication interface 50 through an I/O interface 46.

The front display 21 included in the main monitor 2 is connected to the image processing circuit 47. The plurality of speakers 22 included in the main monitor 2 are connected to the sound circuit 48. The LEDs 23 included in the main monitor 2 are connected to the LED driving circuit 49. The five stations 3 are connected to the communication interface 50.

The CPU 41 progresses a game (Pai-Gow poker and the third game) which is executed in the gaming machine 1, based on game programs (including a game program for Pai-Gow porker and a program for the third game) stored in the ROM 43 and various types of signals received from the stations 3. The game program for Pai-Gow porker includes programs for the first game and the second game. Further, the CPU 41 displays an image to the front display 21, outputs sound from the plurality of speakers 22 and lights the LEDs 23, based on the above-mentioned game programs. Further, the CPU 41 transmits various types of signals to the respective stations 3, based on the above-mentioned game programs.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of a station included in the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the station 3 includes, as the core, a microcomputer 55 which is basically comprised of a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, and a bus 54 for transferring data mutually among these devices.

The ROM 53 stores various types of programs for conducting processing necessary for controlling the station 3, data tables and the like. Further, the RAM 52 temporarily stores the number of credits currently accumulated in the station 3 and various types of data calculated in the CPU 51.

Further, the CPU 51 is connected to a liquid crystal panel driving circuit 57, a touch panel driving circuit 58, a hopper driving circuit 59, a payout completion signal circuit 60, an inserted-coin detecting signal circuit 67, a bill detecting signal circuit 64, an operation signal circuit 66 and a communication interface 61, through an I/O interface 56.

A liquid crystal display 10 is connected to the liquid crystal panel driving circuit 57. A touch panel 11 is connected to the touch panel driving circuit 58. A hopper 62 is connected to the hopper driving circuit 59. A coin detecting portion 63 is connected to the payout completion signal circuit 60. An inserted-coin detecting portion 68 is connected to the inserted-coin detecting signal circuit 67. A bill detecting portion 65 is connected to the bill detecting signal circuit 64. An operation button 12 is connected to the operation signal circuit 66.

The hopper 62 is provided inside the station 3 and pays out a coin through the coin payout exit 15 based on a control signal outputted from the CPU 51.

The coin detecting portion 63 is provided inside the coin payout exit 15 and transmits a signal to the CPU 51 on detecting a predetermined number of coins being paid out through the coin payout exit 15.

The inserted-coin detecting portion 68, on detecting a coin being inserted from the coin insertion slot 13, detects the value of the coin and transmits a detecting signal indicative of the detected value to the CPU 51. The detected value of the coin is counted regarding a predetermined value defined as 1 credit and is stored in the RAM 52.

The bill detecting portion 65, on accepting a bill, detects the value of the bill and transmits a detecting signal indicative of the detected value to the CPU 51. The detected value of the bill is counted regarding a predetermined value defined as 1 credit and is stored in the RAM 52.

The operation button 12 is a button for performing payout operations, when payout of the coin is determined.

Next, there will be described processing conducted in the main control portion 40 and the station 3. The processing in the main control portion 40 has been already described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. Therefore, only the processing conducted in the station 3 will be described.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flow charts illustrating the station-side processing which is conducted in a station according to the first embodiment.

First, in step S201 in FIG. 8A, the CPU 51 included in the station 3 sets the value of ‘t’ to 2, on receiving a signal from the touch panel 11, indicative of the detection of a contact, or a signal from the inserted-coin detecting portion 68, indicative of the detection of the coin insertion. Further, the CPU 51 transmits a signal indicative of executing Pai-Gow poker to the main control portion 40. Thus, the main control portion 40 progresses the processing illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

Next, in step S202, the CPU 51 accepts inputs of a normal BET and a side BET. This enables the player to input a normal BET and a side BET through the touch panel 11 included in the station 3.

Next, in step S203, the CPU 51 transmits BET information on the inputted BET to the main control portion 40. The main control portion 40, on receiving the BET information, cumulatively stores 50% of the side-BET credit as a JP in the RAM 42 (see step S103 in FIG. 1A).

Next, in step S204, the CPU 51 receives to-be-dealt cards information indicative of the cards to be dealt to the player, from the main control portion 40.

Next, in step S205, the CPU 51 displays card images indicative of the seven player's cards to the dealt-card display portion 83 in the liquid crystal display 10, based on the to-be-dealt cards information received in step S204.

Next, in step S206, the CPU 51 accepts inputs of selections of a high hand and a low hand. This enables the player to determine a high hand and a low hand in the dealt cards by operating the high-hand determination button 84 and the low-hand determination button 85 through the touch panel 11.

Next, in step S207, the CPU 51 transmits selection information based on the selection of the high hand and the low hand to the main control portion 40. The main control portion 40, on receiving the selection information, conducts processing for determining a high hand and a low hand of the banker's cards and determining the winning or losing of the game (see step S109 in FIG. 1A).

Next, in step S208, the CPU 51 receives winning/losing information from the main control portion 40.

Subsequently, the CPU 51 displays an image indicating any one of “you win”, “you lose” and “tie” to the dealt-card display portion 83 in the liquid crystal display 10, for a predetermined time period (10 seconds, in the present embodiment), based on the received winning/losing information.

Next, in step S209, the CPU 51 receives normal BET payout information from the main control portion 40. On receiving the normal BET payout information, the CPU 51 stores, in the RAM 52, credit data based on the normal BET payout information.

Next, in step S210, the CPU 51 pays out a credit based on the normal BET payout information received in step S209. The processing for paying out a credit based on the normal BET payout information from the main control portion 40 corresponds to processing for offering a payout based on a normal BET and the result of determination, according to the present invention.

Next, in step S211, the CPU 51 conducts processing for subtracting 1 from the value of ‘t’.

Next, in step S212, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the value of ‘t’ is 0.

When the CPU 51 determines that the value of ‘t’ is not 0, the processing is returned to step S202.

On the other hand, when determining that the value of ‘t’ is 0, the CPU 51 determines whether or not both the two games are tied, in step S213 in FIG. 8B. When the CPU 51 determines that both the two games are not tied, the present subroutine ends.

On the other hand, when determining that both the two games are tied, the CPU 51 determines, in step S214, whether or not the side BET has been inputted during the BET reception in step S202. When the CPU 51 determines that a side BET is not inputted, the present subroutine ends.

On the other hand, when determining that the side BET is inputted, the CPU 51 transmits, in step S215, a side BET signal indicating that both the two Pai-Gow poker games are tied and that the side BET is placed to the main control portion 40.

Next, in step S216, the CPU 51 rearranges cards. More specifically, the CPU 51 displays the card images displayed to the high-hand display portion 80 and the low-hand display portion 81 in the liquid crystal display 10, to the dealt-card display portion 83, again. Namely, the CPU 51 restores the player's cards divided into the high hand and the low hand to a set of seven cards. The restored 7 cards correspond to player's special cards according to the present invention.

Next, in step S217, the CPU 51 accepts inputs to select the high hand and the low hand. The processing in step S217 enables the player to select the high hand and the low hand through the touch panel 11.

Next, in step S218, the CPU 51 transmits selection information to the main control portion 40. The main control portion 40, on receiving the selection information, conducts processing for determining winning or losing of the game (see step S116 in FIG. 1B).

Next, in step S219, the CPU 51 receives winning/losing information from the main control portion 40. Then, the CPU 51 displays, to the dealt-card display portion 83 in the liquid crystal display 10, an image describing any one of “you win”, “you lose” and “tie” for a predetermined time period (10 seconds, in the present embodiment), based on the received winning/losing information.

Next, in step S220, the CPU 51 receives JP payout information from the main control portion 40. On receiving the JP payout information, the CPU 51 stores, in the RAM 52, credit data based on the JP payout information.

Next, in step S221, the CPU 51 pays out a credit based on the JP payout information received in step S220.

The processing for paying out a credit based on the side BET payout information from the main control portion 40 corresponds to processing for offering a jackpot when the hand of a second predetermined number of player's special cards is stronger than the hand of a second predetermined number of banker's cards and when the side BET is inputted, according to the present invention.

After the execution of the processing in step S221, the present subroutine ends.

As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment comprises: the front display 21 and the liquid crystal display 10 (display), which are capable of displaying a plurality of cards; the touch panel 11 (the normal BET switch, the side BET switch and the input switch) for inputting a normal BET, a side BET different from the normal BET and a command for dividing cards into two sets; and the main control portion 40 (controller). The main control portion is programmed to conduct the following processing of: (a) displaying seven player's cards to the liquid crystal display 10 and displaying seven banker's cards to the front display 21; (b) accepting an input of the normal BET from the touch panel 11; (c) accepting an input of the side BET from the touch panel 11; (d) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value as a jackpot; (e) dividing the seven player's cards into five player's cards and two player's cards based on an input from the touch panel 11; (f) dividing the seven banker's cards into five banker's cards and two banker's cards; (g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the five player's cards with the hand of the five banker's cards; (h) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the two player's cards with the hand of the two banker's cards; (i) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that the hand of five player's cards is stronger than the hand of the five banker's cards and that the hand of the two player's cards is stronger than the hand of the two banker's cards; (j) combining the five player's cards and the two player's cards together as seven player's special cards, when determining that the hand of the five player's cards is stronger than the hand of the five banker's cards and that the hand of the two banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the two player's cards, or when determining that the hand of the five banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the five player's cards and that the hand of the two player's cards is stronger than the hand of the two banker's cards; (k) dividing the seven player's special cards into five player's special cards and two player's special cards based on the input from the touch panel 11; (l) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the five player's special cards with the hand of the five banker's cards acquired by the division in the processing (f); and (m) offering a jackpot when the hand of the five player's special cards is stronger than the hand of the five banker's cards and the side BET is inputted in the processing (c).

While, in the present embodiment, there has been described a case where the card game is played using the gaming machine 1, the card game may be played without using a gaming machine (for example, a banker and a player play a game around an actual table) in the present invention. In this case, there may be employed a playing method of a card game comprising the following steps of: (a) dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards; (b) placing a normal BET; (c) placing a side BET different from the normal BET; (d) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value as a jackpot; (e) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's cards into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards; (f) dividing the first predetermined number of the banker's cards into a second predetermined number of banker's cards and a third predetermined number of banker's cards; (g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the second predetermined number of player's cards with the second predetermined number of banker's cards; (h) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the third predetermined number of player's cards with the third predetermined number of banker's cards; (i) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that the second predetermined number of player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of banker's cards; (j) combining the second predetermined number of player's cards and the third predetermined number of player's cards together as a first predetermined number of player's special cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of player's cards, or when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of banker's cards; (k) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's special cards into a second predetermined number of player's special cards and a third predetermined number of player's special cards; (l) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of player's special cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards acquired by the division in step (f); and (m) offering a payout when the hand of the second predetermined number of player's special cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards and the side BET is placed in step (c).

Second Embodiment

Next, there will be described a gaming machine according to a second embodiment. In the following description, components corresponding to those of the roulette gaming machine according to the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference characters.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that, in a game played when two Pai-Gow poker games are tied, the banker's cards are also divided again. The gaming machine according to the second embodiment has the same external appearance, circuit structures and the like as those of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment, and images displayed thereto and processing conducted in stations thereof are also the same as those of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, description thereof will not be repeated. Hereinafter, there will be described processing conducted in the main control portion included in the gaming machine.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flow charts illustrating the main-control-portion-side processing conducted in the main control portion included in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment.

Processing in steps S301 to S313 in FIG. 9A is the same as the processing in steps S101 to S113 in FIG. 1A in the first embodiment and therefore, description thereof will not be repeated.

In step S314 in FIG. 9B, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a signal indicating that two Pai-Gow poker games are tied and that a side BET is placed is received from a station 3. When the CPU 41 determines that no side BET signal is received, the present main-control-portion-side processing ends.

On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that a side BET signal is received, in step S315, the CPU 41 restores the banker's cards divided into the high hand and the low hand to a set of seven cards. The seven cards restored in this processing correspond to the banker's special cards according to the present invention. Then, the CPU 41 conducts processing for determining a high hand and a low hand, again. In this processing, the CPU 41 determines a high hand and a low hand so as to have the strongest high hand, without considering the strength of the low hand.

The subsequent processing in steps S316 to S319 is the same as the processing in steps S115 to S118 in FIG. 1B in the first embodiment and therefore, description thereof will not be repeated.

As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment comprises: the front display 21 and the liquid crystal display 10 (display), which are capable of displaying a plurality of cards; the touch panel 11 (the normal BET switch, the side BET switch and the input switch) for inputting a normal BET, a side BET different from the normal BET and a command for dividing cards into two sets; and the main control portion 40 (controller). The main control portion 40 is programmed to conduct the following processing of: (a) displaying seven player's cards to the liquid crystal display 10 and displaying seven banker's cards to the front display 21; (b) accepting an input of a normal BET from the touch panel 11; (c) accepting an input of a side BET from the touch panel 11; (d) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value as a jackpot; (e) dividing the seven player's cards into five player's cards and two player's cards based on an input from the touch panel 11; (f) dividing the seven banker's cards into five banker's cards and two banker's cards; (g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the five player's cards with the hand of the five banker's cards; (h) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the two player's cards with the hand of the two banker's cards; (i) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that the hand of the five player's cards is stronger than the hand of the five banker's cards and that the hand of the two player's cards is stronger than the hand of the two banker's cards; (j) combining the five player's cards and the two player's cards together as seven player's special cards and combining the five banker's cards and the two banker's cards together as seven banker's special cards, when determining that the hand of the five player's cards is stronger than the hand of the five banker's cards and that the hand of the two banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the two player's cards, or when determining that the hand of the five banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the five player's cards and that the hand of the two player's cards is stronger than the hand of the two banker's cards; (k) dividing the seven player's special cards into five player's special cards and two player's special cards based on the input from the touch panel 11; (l) dividing the seven banker's special cards into five banker's special cards and two banker's special cards based on the input from the touch panel 11; (m) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the five player's special cards with the hand of the five banker's special cards; and (n) offering a jackpot when the hand of the five player's special cards is stronger than the hand of the five banker's special cards and a side BET is inputted in the above-mentioned processing (c).

While, in the present embodiment, there has been described a case where the card game is played using the gaming machine 1, the card game may be played without using a gaming machine (for example, a banker and a player may play a game around an actual table) in the present invention. In this case, there may be employed a playing method of a card game comprising the following steps of: (a) dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards; (b) placing a normal BET; (c) placing a side BET different from the normal BET; (d) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value as a jackpot; (e) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's cards into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards; (f) dividing the first predetermined number of the banker's cards into a second predetermined number of banker's cards and a third predetermined number of banker's cards; (g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the second predetermined number of player's cards with the second predetermined number of banker's cards; (h) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the third predetermined number of player's cards with the third predetermined number of banker's cards; (i) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of banker's cards; (j) combining the second predetermined number of player's cards and the third predetermined number of player's cards together as a first predetermined number of player's special cards and combining the second predetermined number of banker's cards and the third predetermined number of banker's cards together as a first predetermined number of banker's special cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of player's cards, or when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of banker's cards; (k) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's special cards into a second predetermined number of player's special cards and a third predetermined number of player's special cards; (l) dividing the first predetermined number of the banker's special cards into a second predetermined number of banker's special cards and a third predetermined number of banker's special cards; (m) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of player's special cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's special cards; and (n) offering a jackpot when the hand of the second predetermined number of player's special cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards and the side BET is placed in the above-mentioned step (c).

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, there have been described cases where 50% of side-BET credits are cumulatively accumulated as jackpot. However, in the present invention, the ratio (predetermined ratio) of a cumulatively accumulating currency value to the side-BET currency value is not limited thereto, but may be set as appropriate.

Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, credit data corresponding to 50% of a side-BET credit is cumulatively stored in the RAM 42 included in the main control portion 40. However, in the present invention, credit data corresponding to a predetermined ratio of the side-BET credit may be cumulatively stored in a RAM included in each station.

Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, there have been described cases where the seven player's cards and the seven banker's cards are respectively divided into a set of five cards and a set of two cards. However, in the present invention, the number of cards before dividing into two sets (the first predetermined number) and the number of cards in each set after the division of cards into two sets (the second predetermined number and the third predetermined number) are not limited thereto.

Further, while, in the second embodiment, there has been described a case where the third game according to the present invention is the same as the first game (the game in which the player's high hand is compared with the banker's high hand), the third game according to the second aspect of the present invention is not limited thereto. The third game may be a game in which the number of cards different from the numbers of cards for the first game and for the second game is selected as cards for the third game, and a hand of selected player's cards is compared with a hand of selected banker's cards.

While, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, cards are re-divided in the event that both the two games are tied, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, cards may be re-divided in the event that a single game is tied or that three or more games are tied.

While, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, there have been described cases where a dealer serves as a banker, in the present invention, a single player may serve as a banker when a plurality of players take part in the game.

While, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, there have been described cases where Pai-Gow poker is played, a game to be played is not particularly limited in the present invention, as long as the game is played by dividing player's cards and banker's cards respectively into two sets and using these player's cards and banker's cards divided into two sets.

While, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, there have been described cases where playing cards are used to play a game, the cards (player's cards and banker's cards) according to the present invention are not limited to playing cards, but may be, for example, tarot cards.

While, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, there have been described cases where players play Pai-Gow poker by viewing the main monitor 2 and the liquid crystal displays 10 included in the stations, the gaming machine according to the present invention is only required to include either a main monitor or liquid crystal displays (displays included in the stations). In the case of this structure, the dealer's cards (the banker's cards) and the player's cards may be displayed together to the main monitor or the displays in the stations.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, these embodiments merely illustrate concrete examples, not restrict the present invention. The concrete structures of respective means and the like can be designed and changed as required. Furthermore, there have been merely described most preferable effects of the present invention, as the effects of the present invention, in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, in the aforementioned detailed description, characteristic portions have been mainly described, for ease of understanding the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the aforementioned detailed description, but can be also applied to other embodiments over a wider range of applications. Further, the terms and phrases used in the present specification have been used for clearly describing the present invention, not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. Further, those skilled in the art will easily conceive other structures, systems, methods and the like which are included in the concept of the present invention, from the concept of the present invention described in the present specification. Accordingly, the description of the claims is intended to include equivalent structures that fall within the technical scope of the invention. Further, the abstract aims at enabling engineers and the like who belong to the present technical field but are not familiar with the patent office and public institutions, the patent, law terms and technical terms to immediately understand the technical content and the essence of the present application through brief studies. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to restrict the scope of the invention which should be evaluated from the description of the claims. It is desirable that literatures and the like which have been already disclosed are sufficiently studied and understood, in order to sufficiently understand the objects of the present invention and the specific effects of the present invention.

In the aforementioned detailed description, there have been described processes to be executed by computers. The aforementioned description and expressions have been described for the sake of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the present invention most effectively. In the present specification, each step for deriving a single result should be understood to be self-consistent processing. Further, each step includes transmission, reception, recording and the like of electric or magnetic signals. Although, in the processing at each step, such signals have been expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numerical characters and the like, it should be noticed that they have been merely used for convenience of description. Further, although the processing at each step was described using expressions common to human behaviors in some cases, the processes described in the present specification are to be executed by various types of devices, in principle. Further, other structures required for conducting each step will be apparent from the aforementioned description. 

1. (canceled).
 2. A communication device connected to a voice communication server performing a voice communication process between a plurality of telephones connected to a line switching network employing a telephone number scheme and a plurality of communication devices connected to a packet switching network employing a communication address scheme which is different from the telephone number scheme, comprising: means for obtaining a communication address, according to the communication address scheme, identifying the voice communication server in the packet switching network, when a telephone number according to the telephone number scheme is input to identify one of the telephones as a communication partner; means for transmitting a voice communication request packet to the voice communication server which requests the telephone to communicate with the communication device; means for receiving a voice communication response packet in response to the voice communication request packet from the voice communication server; and means for transmitting/receiving a packet including voice information used for the voice communication with the telephone, when the voice communication response packet indicates an accepting response, wherein the voice communication request packet includes the communication address obtained by the obtaining means, the telephone number and the communication address, according to the communication address scheme, identifying the self communication device in the packet switching network.
 3. The communication device according to claim 2, further comprising: means for inputting voice information; means for encoding the input voice information; means for decoding encoded voice information in a received packet; and means for outputting the decoded voice information, wherein the packet transmitting/receiving means generates the packet including the voice information used for the voice communication using the encoded voice information.
 4. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the packet switching network is a TCP/IP network, and the voice communication request packet transmitting means, the voice communication response packet receiving means, and the voice information included packet transmitting/receiving means use TCP/IP.
 5. The communication device according to claim 2 wherein the packet switching network is a UDP/IP network, and the voice communication request packet transmitting means, the voice communication response packet receiving means and the voice information included packet transmitting/receiving means use UDP/IP.
 6. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the packet switching network is LAN (Local Area Network).
 7. The communication device according to claim 2, further comprising: means for transmitting the voice communication request packet using TCP; and means for transmitting the packet including the voice information using UDP.
 8. The communication device according to claim 2, further comprising: means for transmitting input voice message to the voice communication server using a voice mail, when the voice communication response packet indicates a negating response. 